AMERICAN
REVOLUTIONS:
1810 - PRESENT
THE VARIOUS TYPES
OF MODERN REVOLUTIONS
IN THE AMERICAS
REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS
Revolution
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A popular idea, means to an end
A way to restructure society
Popular sovereignty
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Relocating sovereignty in the people
Traditional monarchs
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Claimed a "divine right" to rule
Derived from God, unquestionable
Monarch unanswerable to people
Constitutional Limitations
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Aristocracy, Enlightenment challenged king
Glorious Revolution of 1688
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Made the monarch responsible to the people
John Locke's theory of contractual government
Authority comes from the consent of the governed
Freedom and equality
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Demands for freedom of worship
Freedom of expression, assembly
Demands for political and legal equality
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Equality not extended to all
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Condemned legal, social privileges of aristocrats
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract
Women, Peasants, laborers, slaves, or people of color
Originally only extended to tax paying males with education
Ideals of Enlightenment were significant global influence
TYPES OF REVOLUTIONS
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Aristocratic Revolution
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Aristocracy fights to preserve privileges
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Often against royal absolutism
Rarely for other classes rights
Usually ends with constitution, limits on monarchy
English Glorious Revolution (1688) is an example
Bourgeois (liberal) Revolution
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Middle class seeks rights equal to nobility
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Extension of franchise, ability to hold office
Issues of taxation often involved
Reforms limited, rarely radical
Franchise limited
American (1776)
French (1789)
Meiji Restoration (1867)
MASS REVOLUTIONS
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Glorification of the state or a specific class
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Radical lower middle, working classes
Mass Mobilization by Leading Elite
All citizens join to achieve end
Often led by revolutionary elite
Uses mass media to function, rule
Desire to remake society radically
Often uses violence as means to end
Types
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Right-wing: Nazi, Fascist
Centre: Populists
Left-wing: Communist
REFORM
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Often system allowed change without radical means, violence
Reform was a theme of 1750 – 1914
Reform movements
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Increased, responsive democratic representation, institutions
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Abolition of slavery, serfdom
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Abolition movement was very successful
Other forms of coercive labor replaced them
Racial, social equality did not follow
Women Rights
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Expansion of male suffrage was the key issue
One of the hallmarks of a democratic society
Very successful in US, Western Europe, British settler colonies, Japan
Less so in Latin America, Russia, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia
One goal was full female franchise
Not achieved until after 1914 but progress
Foreign Reform Movements
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India Civil Service Act
China Self-Strengthening
Tanzimat (Turkey)
Meiji Reforms (Japan)
20th CENTURY
DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION
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Mass Revolution against oppressive state
Largely Peaceful
Mobilizes all classes
Often religious influence
Opposition often uses violence, terror
Began in India (Gandhi’s non-violence)
Political philosophy largely democratic
Often not vengeful (no Reign of Terror)
HISTORICAL LATIN
REVOLUTIONS
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Aristocratic, Bourgeois
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Latin American Independence Movements
Brazil, 1822
Mass
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Nationalist
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Socialist
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Mexico, 1910
Cuba, 1950s
Nicaragua, 1979
Populist
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Haitian, 1800
Argentina, 1940s
Brazil, 1940s
Venezuela, 1990s
Democratic
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Argentina, 1980s
Chile, 1990s
Mexico, 1990s
THE AMERICAN WAR FOR
INDEPENDENCE:
DOES IT FIT THE MODEL
OF A BOURGEOIS
REVOLUTION?
A CRISIS BUILDS: BRITISH
ALIENATE AMERICAN COLONIALS
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French and Indian Wars
Proclamation of 1763
Stamp Act; Intolerable Acts
The Quebec Act of 1774
Mercantilism vs. Free Trade
No taxation without representation
Enlightenment ideas
Sons of Liberty
BRITISH SEEK TO MAINTAIN
THE STATUS QUO
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Period lasts from Boston Massacre (1770) through
meeting of Continental Congress in Philadelphia
and Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)
New Englanders especially merchants and citizens
around Boston are “radicals”
Most of mid-Atlantic states and
citizens are moderates/conciliatory.
British colonial bureaucracy and
landed aristocracy in the South are
conservatives; seek to avert clash
by working with Parliament.
British government unwilling to
compromise.
COOLER HEADS SEEK TO
COMPROMISE
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From 1775 to the Declaration of
Independence, 1776 through the
Battle of Saratoga, 1777;
Colonial moderates attempt
to initiate changes, compromise,
bargain with the British, Parliament
Many colonists, especially in the southern
colonies were skeptical about the wisdom
or potential of success for the revolution.
American success at Saratoga, British
actions emboldens patriots; war spreads.
COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE
BECOMES COLONIAL GOAL
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France enters the war (1778) until the end
Battle of Yorktown (1783)
Moderate colonials struggling against the
more
radical
elements
within
the
revolutionaries.
British move south into
Middle Atlantic and later
Deep South; commit
many atrocities
War spreads as other Europeans attack UK.
PATRIOTS WIN!
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Look upon Articles of Confederation as
moderate constitution, with which some
were not happy. Radicals are represented
by people such as Thomas Paine, Sons of
Liberty and to a lesser extent Thomas
Jefferson. Even federalist ideas are radical.
The radical victories are
the Battle of Yorktown
and the Treaty of Paris,
breaking all ties with
England.
AMERICAN REIGN OF TERROR
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The radical reign of terror was the
expulsion of the Loyalists to Canada, and
the confiscation of their property.
Americans war on pro-British Indians and
open western lands to settlement. Begin
resettlement of Indians.
Proportionally to French émigrés,
who fled/were guillotined,
loyalist expulsions and
resettlements were greater.
AMERICAN MODERATES
PREDOMINATE
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The period from 1781-1789
“United States” governed
by Articles of Confederation.
States re-establish many
precolonial social, economic
patterns.
Ruling elites based on landed,
property wealth, not nobility
Episcopalians predominate
(old Church of England)
Many states openly trade with British
Radical ideas unpopular
STRONG INSTITUTIONS
STABILIZE REVOLUTION
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Calling of the Constitution Convention in
1787 was reaction to weaknesses in
Articles of Confederation. Many people
upset by moderate restoration because it
was not working. US Constitution was
coup d’etat.
Rise of federalist idea with strong central
government instead of a confederation is
the consolidation of a “strong leader”
George Washington as a national military
leader, who can calm rebellions and unite
the people, are the synthesis period of
the revolution represented in one man.
THE FIRST LATIN
AMERICAN
REVOLUTIONS

What model does each revolution fit?
HAITIAN REVOLUTION
Saint-Domingue
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Rich French colony on western Hispaniola

Society dominated by small white planter class
90 percent of population were slaves
Horrendous working conditions
Large communities of escaped slaves (maroons)
Ideas of Enlightenment reached educated blacks
Free blacks fought in American war
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Widespread discontent
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White settlers sought self-governance
Gens de couleur sought political rights
Slaves wanted freedom
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Slave revolt began in 1791
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Factions of white settlers, gens de couleur, slaves battled each other
French troops arrived in 1792; British, Spanish intervened in 1793
Slaves conquer whole island including Spanish part
Whites driven into exile, executed
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Toussaint Louverture (1744-1803)
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Son of slaves, literate, son of Enlightenment
Skilled organizer, built strong, disciplined army
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Controlled most of Saint-Domingue by 1797
Created a constitution in 1801
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Arrested by French troops; died in jail, 1803
Haiti
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Yellow fever ravaged French troops; defeated, driven out by slave armies
Declared independence in 1803; republic established in 1804
Civil War followed until 1810; kingdom to 1820
Dominican Republic independent in 1844
INDEPENDENCE IN LATIN AMERICA
Latin American society rigidly hierarchical
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Mexican independence
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Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1807 weakened royal control of colonies
1810: peasant revolt in Mexico led by Hidalgo, defeated by conservative creoles
1821: Mexico briefly a military dictatorship, then in 1822 a republic
Southern Viceroyalty of New Spain split into several independent states in 1830s
Simon Bolivar to 1822
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Led independence movement in South America
Inspired by George Washington, took arms against Spanish rule in 1811
Creole forces overcame Spanish armies throughout South America, 1824
Bolivar's effort of creating the Gran Colombia failed in 1830s
Jose de San Martin to 1825
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Led independence movements in Bolivia, Argentina, Chile
United efforts with Bolivar
Brazilian independence
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Portuguese royal court fled to Rio de Janeiro, 1807
Brazil declared a separate kingdom during exilel
The king's son, Pedro, agreed to Brazilian independence, 1821
Became Emperor Pedro I in the independent Brazil (reigned 1822-1834)
Creole dominance in Latin America
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Social classes: peninsulares, creoles, mestizos, slaves, indigenous peoples
Creoles sought to displace the peninsulares but retain their privileged position
Mestizos form the largest part of population, wanted rights
Independence brought little social change in Latin America
Principal beneficiaries were creole elites
Creole elite merged with peninsulares to rule Latin America
Mestizos acquired some benefits, Indians/blacks marginalized
Caribbean remained largely under European control
THE NEW AMERICAN MAP
LATIN AMERICA
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Old Problems confront new realities
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Leaders came from Enlightenment: spoke of equality, freedom
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Political fragmentation
Political instability after independence
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Creole leaders ruled but had little experience with self-government
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Political instability aggravated by division among elites
Constant argument between centralizing and federalizing pressures
Intense fighting in Argentina, Chile; modern weapons against native peoples
Colonists had pacified most productive land by 1870s
Caudillos, Caudillism, Politics and the Church
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Military leaders who held power after revolutionary era
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White minority dominated politics
Peasant majority was without power
Conflicts between farmers, ranchers, indigenous peoples common
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No allowance freedom of religion
Slavery ended but not exploitation of poor, Indians
Equality was too threatening to elite
Democracy uncommon, rich men voted
Old color distinctions did not disappear rapidly, easily, or at all
Used military to seize power, stay in control; interested only in power for own sake
Opposed liberalizing effects; often made alliances with aristocratic elites, land owners
Ruled through the church and opposed an secularization, reform of society
Mexico: war and reform from 1821-1911
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Shifted from monarchy to republic to caudillo rule
La Reforma: liberal movement in 1850s led by President Benito Juarez
Granted universal male suffrage; limited power of priests and military
Reforms strongly opposed by landowning elites
MEXICAN REVOLUTION
WAS IT BOURGEOIS OR
AN EXAMPLE OF A MASS
20TH REVOLUTION?
DIAZ LOSES CONTROL
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Porfirio Diaz’s Dictatorship
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President for life
Centralized bureaucracy
Conciliatory towards church
Appropriated Indian communal lands
Favored large landowners
Impoverished peasants, debt peonage
Limited participation by small middle class
Many rebellions by peasants, Indians
Encouraged foreign investment
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Development of wealth for export
Resources owned by foreigners
DIAZ SEEKS TO MAINTAIN
THE STATUS QUO
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Many Opponents to Rule
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Parties organized to oppose Diaz
Workers protest labor conditions
Madero runs for presidency
Diaz negates election
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Imprisons Madero
Opposes changes
Reaffirms status quo
EARLY REVOLUTION
1907 Economic Depression
1910 Revolt
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Country run by elites
Corrupt government
Weakened military
Prosperity benefits small middle class
Modern economy but few own most
Impoverished countryside, revolts
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Discontent among elite, middle class
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Massive social revolution
Madero revolt overthrews Diaz
REACTION TO MODERATES
Liberal Madero as president, 1910 – 1913
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Opposes land reform
Political reforms antagonize military, US
Zapata’s Plan de Ayala
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All land, waters, woods back to the hacendados
In regions he controls, returns lands
1913 Military Rebellion
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Attacks National Palace
Military with US support arrests
Madero murdered
Installs Huerta as president
RADICAL REACTION
Revolutionary Forces unite
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Zapata, Villa, Carranza, Obregon
Revolt against Huerta
1914: Vera Cruz Incident
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Mexicans arrest US sailors
US bombards Veracruz
Huerta resigns after election due to US pressure
Constitutionalist army takes Mexico City
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Carranza becomes president
Zapata, Villa depose president
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Institute a radical system of changes
MEXICAN CIVIL WAR
1915 Civil War as Reign of Terror
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Country divided into warring provinces
Competing policies
Murders, assassinations, brutality
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Constitutionalists under Carranza
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Army seizes Mexico City
Constitutionalists occupy Yucatan
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Ends debt peonage
Mobilized workers, peasants for revolution
Villa defeated by Constitutionalist Army
Villa raids US after US supports Carranza
MODERATES PREDOMINATE
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End of War as Moderate victory
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1917 Constitution
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Advanced nationalist, radical views
Universal male suffrage (hostile to women)
Power, property of Church restricted
Free, secular, obligatory primary education
Returned lands seized illegally
Curbed foreign ownership
8 hour work day
Minimum wage
Strikes legal
STABILIZED REVOLUTION
Carranza elected president
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Swung revolution to far-right
Nationalist favoring elite ideologies
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Opposed education
Opposed land reform
Suppressed workers’ unions, revolts
1919 – 1924
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Zapata captured, killed
New leaders oppose Carranza
Generals stage coup, kill Carranza
Frequent revolts, assassinations
Rise of Calles as strong man
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Ruled Mexico directly, indirectly for a decade
Ruled through military, provincial allies
He picked presidential candidates
Put down Catholic revolt (Cristeros)
Nationalized Church property
Institutes some reforms
th
20
CENTURY MASS
REVOLUTIONS

Where these revolutions examples of
mass, nationalist revolutions or
Communist revolutions?
ANTECEDENTS

The Foreign Factor
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Europeans, Americans heavily invested in Americas
Foreigners controlled much of the investments, developments
US, UK were the two biggest sources of export capital
Marxism in Latin America
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Traditionally arises in an urban, industrialized society
19th Century Latin America
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Industrialization and the Working Classes
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Did not industrialized until 20th century
Did not strongly urbanize until the 20th century
Export industries led to rise of working class
Commercial export farming increasingly mechanized
Mexico under Diaz was first to really change
World Wars I and II saw rise of modern industries, working classes
Local Societies
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Local elites controlled countries’ political structures
Military repression used to maintain control
Existing governments failed to reform
Working class, urban poor, peasants, farmers marginalized
POPULISM

Defined
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Opposed to
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Corporations
Foreign control of country’s economy
Corruption
Traditional elites including the church
Support
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Political doctrine that aims to defend the interests of the common
people against an entrenched, self-serving or corrupt elite.
The two types are agrarian and political populism
Poor people of the country
Support often regional
Support limited to one class
Tactics
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Anti-regime
Sometimes turns right-wing
Sometimes becomes nationalistic
Often led by a charismatic leader
Support massive industrialization, land reform
Tend to tax wealth, nationalize industries, and borrow heavily
EXAMPLES OF POPULISM

Paraguay’s
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Mexico’s
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Albeniz, 1954
Venezuela’s
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Peron 1940s – 1950s
Guatemala’s
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Vargas 1930s to 1960s
Argentina’s
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Cardenas, 1930s – 1940s
Brazil’s
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De Francia, 1820s – 1840s
Hugo Chavez 1990s – Present
Mexico’s
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Obrador, 2006
CUBA
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Cuba 1898 to 1959
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Bautista
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Leads guerrilla movement in the Sierra Madre Mountains
Eventually wins civil war and enters Havana in 1959
Leads
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American supported dictator
Reform failed
Wealth concentrated in a few hands
Majority of population young, rural, poor
40% of population African descent and marginalized
Fidel Castro
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Independent but clearly under US control
Platt Amendment makes it a US Protectorate
Run by Cuba landed, propertied elites
US monitors constantly
US base in Guantanamo
Cancels promised elections
Expropriates foreign properties
Kills or exiles political enemies
US imposes trade embargo
Soviets step in with massive aid, gain foothold off US shores
CUBA & THE COMMUNISTS

Castro and USSR

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Declares allegiance to Soviet foreign policy, 1960
Russian advisors arrive
Troops arm, train Cuban armed forces
Bay of Pigs

CIA works to topple Castro’s regime

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CIA send 1,500 Cubans into Bay of Pigs
Hopes to spur revolution
American Air support does not appear
Force destroyed in 3 days
US embarrassment
Castro begins to align economy, society with USSR
CUBA & THE WORLD

Cuban Missile Crisis

October 1962
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Kennedy publicly challenges USSR
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Soviets assemble missiles in Cuba
Missles can reach US
Imposes naval blockade around Cuba
Quarantines Cuba
Soviets concede
US guarantees non-interference
Cuba outside of Cuba
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Supports revolutionary movements in Africa
Supports revolutionary movements in Latin America
NICARAGUAN REVOLUTION

Civil war in Nicaragua, 1920s
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1970s
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US supports Anastacio Somoza Garcia (1896-1956)
Augusto César Sandino leads opposition to US
Somoza assassinates Sandino in 1934
Maintains good relations with US
Rules country as US puppet, caudillo
Owns all means of production
Sandinista Guerrilla movement
Influenced by Castro, communism
Wins newest civil war and established Sandinista rule
Marxist Nicaragua 1980s
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USA supports Contras, anti-communist forces
Country supports land reform but not totalitarian
DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTIONS

Military Rule vs. Constitutional Rule

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Latin America tended to rely on military rule
Often anti-communist, anti-reform, pro-Church
Strongly supported by USA, American businesses
1980s
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Democratic movements strong, active
Middle class increasingly involved
Poorer elements radicalize
Active opposition to dictators in Chile, Argentina
Opposition to Church
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Opposition to the US
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Liberation Theology, Pentecostals
Peru, Guatemala, Venezuela, Ecuador
Victories

Free elections in Mexico
Peaceful revolutions oust dictators in Chile, Argentina
Today Democratic regimes strong in region

Democracy not always pro-US, but often pro-business, reform


OTHER REVOLUTIONS

Application and Evaluation Level




Does the Industrial Revolution conform to
the model? If so, how?
Should the Industrial Revolution be studied
with political revolutions?
What other 19th and 20th century
revolutions should we include in our study?
Synthesis Level

Create eight slides based on this format on
one of the revolutions in your packet.
ELECTRONIC LINKS

Internet History Sourcebooks Project


http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/
Latin American Revolutions

http://www.uoregon.edu/~caguirre/revol.html